10 Days Shira Route Climbing Kilimanjaro

Day 2 Shira One Camp

After breakfast, we take ride to Londorossi National Park Gate in order to complete the necessary registration formalities before we drive a short distance to Shira Gate (9,200 ft) where we begin our trek. We continue climbing steadily on foot through shrub forests and stands of giant heather to reach the rim of Shira Plateau (11,000 ft). The views across the surrounding plains open up as we approach our first camp, Shira one Camp (11,600 ft). It takes about 4 to 5 hours walk.

Day 3 Shira Two Camp

Today is an easy day to help acclimatization and to explore the grassy moorland and volcanic rock formations of the plateau. We walk to the summit of Shira Cathedral (12,300 ft), a huge buttress of rock surrounded by steep spires and pinnacles. There is a tangible sense of wilderness here, especially when the afternoon mists roll in. From our camp near Shira Hut (12,600 ft), we take in the unforgettable views of Mount Meru as she floats among the clouds. It takes about 4 to 5 hours walk.

Day 4 Moir Hut

The morning walking is a steady climbing away from the moorland of Shira Plateau to reach the broad upland desert beneath the Lent Hills with expansive views in all directions. After having lunch in our camp close to Moir Hut (13,800 ft), there is an option of a more strenuous afternoon walking to reach the summit of the Lent Hills (15,400 ft). We can explore the area beneath the Northern Ice fields, a remote place rarely visited by tourists with unusual views of Kibo Peak. Few visitors get to this remote corner of Mount Kilimanjaro. It takes about 5 to 6 hours walk.

Day 5 Lava Tower

Let us enjoy a morning of gentle ascent and panoramic views, walking on lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. After lunch at our campsite based in Lava Tower (14,900 ft), there is a steep but spectacular afternoon walking on the rocky lower slopes of the Western Breach on Mount Kilimanjaro. This afternoon excursion is highly recommended especially for acclimatization purposes and for the superb views of hanging glaciers on both sides of the Breach. It takes about 5 to 6 hours walk.

Day 6 Barranco Hut

A steep descent into the bottom of Barranco Valley (12,800 ft) leads us to the famed

Barranco Wall and its steep climbing. At the top the undulating trail crosses the flanks of Kibo Peak with superb vistas of the Southern Ice fields. The terrain is volcanic scree with pockets of vegetation in sheltered hollows and a powerful sense of the mountain wilderness. Our next campsite will be Karanga Campsite (13,100 ft), the last water point on the approach to Mount Kilimanjaro Summit. It takes about 5 to 7 hours walk

Day 7 Barafu Hut

After morning breakfast, we all follow an easy path on compacted scree with wide views that gains altitude unrelentingly to reach Barafu Hut (14,800 ft) for lunch. There is a short acclimatization hike to the plateau at the bottom of the southeast valley (15,700 ft). The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the early morning final ascent. It takes about 4to 5 hours walk.

Day 8 Uhuru Peak Kilimanjaro Summit to Mweka Camp

We will start our ascent by torchlight about 1:00 am so that we can be up on the crater rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to Stella Point (18,800 ft), in about five or six hours. We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi Peak. For those who are still feeling strong can make the two hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (19,345 ft) passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Barafu Hut is surprisingly fast and after some refreshments, we continue to descend to reach our final camp, Mweka Camp (12,500 ft). It takes about 10to 12 hours walk.

Day 9 Mweka Gate and the Drive Back to Arusha town

After breakfast, proceed with a sustained descend on a well-constructed path takes us through a lovely tropical forest alive with birdsong and boasting lush undergrowth with considerable botanical interest. Our route winds down to Mweka National Park Gate (5,400 ft) and on through coffee and banana farms to Mweka Village where you will be transferred back to Moshi town to your booked accommodation.

Day 10 Airport Transfer or Depart for the Safari

Our driver from MJ Safaris will bring you to the airport from where you will take your flight back home or for another destination like Zanzibar. If you’ve booked a safari with us, we’ll make sure to drop you off at the recommended hotel and we give you the briefing about your safari departure.

This marks the end of your 10 Days Shira Route package for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.